4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[OllieNLucys Mum]

I was absolutely amazed yesterday when we moved the cube and run there was a massive network of tunnels undermining the whole area obviously caused by rats

 

Our yard is right in the middle of the country and rats are a huge problem. When we first went there as liveries we didn't have a lot of control and a lot of our rugs tack clothes etc got ruined by chewing.

 

Now we own it we have a strict no food of any kind animal or human anywhere except in secure steel bins and no flax bales except in secure containers. This has worked and although we do see the odd one they haven't been a problem for the last couple of years.

 

Obviously they are being attracted by the chooks food now its getting later in the year and they are coming in off the fields.

 

I'm not sure what to do now. We have an animal sanctuary directly across the lane that gets out of date food donated that they just leave lying around and this attracts them so we would never be able to control them no matter how much bait we put down.

 

 

I always leave the grub topped up and the chooks just help themselves whenever they want. Obviously this is attracting the rats.

 

Would it be an option to give a smaller feed so they eat it immediately? then they would still have stuff around the place to peck at but no actual food bowl or do they need the pellets continuously throughout the day?

[beulah59]

Have you thought about a treadle feeder?

[Redwing]

Yes a treadle feeder would be a good idea

 

We put bait down in our stables and just keep refilling it and that at least seems to be keeping the rats under control even though we know there are a couple of places nearby that don't do that they seem to stay there and not bother us as much anymore luckily

 

Bringing the feed in at night would help

 

Hens are designed to eat little and often throughout the day so specified feeding times wll not be good for them

[CluckyBucks]

Hello

 

Im also having rat trouble. Ive started taking the food out of the run at night so the rat doesnt really have a reason to visit, and i put down traps as well. But they are very clever and seem to be dodging these.

 

Hope you can get your rat problem sorted, i know how frustrating it is!!

 

xx xx

[OllieNLucys Mum]

Hmm I had a sneaking suspicion they were trickle feeders just like the horses then.

 

Please excuse my ignorance but what on earth is a treadle feeder. I am imagining a feeder they push with feet If it keeps the food secure it might be a good idea.

 

Bait would be a total waste of money the farmer here used to spend a fortune on it and there were always loads of rats. I think in the main part due to the smorgesbord courtesy of sainsburies just a small lanes width away a few feet at most. The no food policy has worked the best. they used to eat anything and everything once here including through plastic containers and wooden boxes. Heavy metal bins was all that stopped them.

 

I may have to get another feral cat. The last one we had was heart breaking though as it had leukaemia before we adopted it and there was nothing we could do for him. Also how would a cat sit with the chooks i wouldn't want it having little Lucy for lunch.

[Redwing]

Chickens can normally see off a cat no problems, I am not sure about a feral cat though they are a bit cleverer than your average cat

[henriette]

We have rats around so I do bring the food in at night and it is always stored in secure bins. There was a major rat problem in our roof when we moved here and we have worked really hard to eradicate it, however, every year we get one who comes into the house above our bedroom. (not the same one, I hasten to add) It arrived last night and woke me at 4.00 and was still busily making a nest or whatever at 6.00. I hate rats so much. Anyway, we are just about to go and investigate and put down a special little dinner for it

[eggregiousness]

Could you set up a joint attack on the rat population with the Animal Sanctuary people? They must have the same problem.l It would be more likely to succeed if all food sources are cut off at once.

[Woodcat]

Please excuse my ignorance but what on earth is a treadle feeder. I am imagining a feeder they push with feet If it keeps the food secure it might be a good idea.

 

 

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Galvanised_Treadle_Feeder.html#aT661725

 

That is one of the many types of treadle feeder they stand on it and it opens but the weight of rats and suchlike isn't enough to open it. I can't offer an opinion on which one is the best as i havn't got one but it sounds like a good idea in your case